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Jimin loves Taehyung. He’s always loved Taehyung, because loving Taehyung is just a part of who he is, and because loving Taehyung is all he’s known his entire life. So, when Taehyung is separated from him, Jimin doesn't know how to function without him.
They've always been inseparable, more than friends but less than boyfriends. They spent their childhood together, protecting each other from any trouble, and fighting each other’s battles. And it isn’t a surprise when their mothers can already see them ending up together.
~✦~
And then they are in college, and Jimin knows there’s no one like Taehyung, no one for him.
So, it’s natural, Jimin’s heart breaks everytime he sees Taehyung with a new guy. His heart breaks more when Taehyung comes home to him, crying because of the said boyfriends.
Jimin is always there to comfort him, give him lots of cuddles and knows he should tell the other, knows it’s not healthy to bottle up his feelings.
But alas, Jimin has never had the courage to confess.
There have been fleeting moments where he’d think about Taehyung reciprocating his feelings. For instance, when Taehyung broke up with one guy because, “he wanted me to move in with him, I can’t leave you, so I broke up with him.”
Taehyung’s reason had him thinking for days, but all his hopes were crushed down when a week later, Taehyung went on a date with a senior.
And Jimin cried himself to sleep, his heart shattered by the amount of love he's always had for the younger.
~✦~
And then, they have graduated. Both of them saved up for a bigger apartment and moved into their new home. Jimin has established himself as a skilled dancer while Taehyung is working with top companies as a model.
They come home to each other, cook for each other, visit places together and Jimin can’t help but think how domestic all of this is. He can’t help but fall for Taehyung more.
And things are good.
Taehyung has been in a stable relationship for a year now which Jimin thinks is his longest one. Seojoon makes him happy and as long as Taehyung is, Jimin is happy, too.
And then, one day when Jimin enters their home, Taehyung jumps on him, squealing. Jimin’s smile is huge, seeing Taehyung so happy. He wraps his arms around Taehyung and he’s about to kiss his cheek when Taehyung mutters, “Seojoon proposed to me. I said yes.”
Jimin’s whole world shatters into tiny pieces along with his heart. His smile diminishes and he feels like crying, feels like he wants to set fire to the whole world.
Nonetheless, a small, “I’m so happy for you, Tae,” leaves his lips as he puts Taehyung down and rushes to his room.
He locks himself inside and falls to his knees. Years of pent up feelings are past the simmering stage, and spills from his eyes in the form of tears. He tries stifling his sobs so Taehyung doesn't hear.
And it takes Jimin losing Taehyung to realize he should have confessed years ago.
~✦~
And then, it’s been months. Five to be exact, when Taehyung moved out. No, he didn’t get married. He figured he needed time so he ended up moving in with Seojoon.
And it’s been three months since Taehyung started getting distant. Text messages become less, no hourly updates of his endeavors, no spam selfies of his perfect, beautiful face.
And Jimin’s life is hard without Taehyung. Without his presence, his smile, his ridiculously loud presence that Jimin has always adored.
But he lets him go.
Jimin understands Taehyung is committed so he might not have a lot of time to talk to him and it’s fine.
Except, it’s not because Jimin cries to sleep every night.
~✦~
It’s a cold, winter night, and when he enters his apartment, he swears nothing could’ve ever prepared him for what he comes home to.
He isn’t prepared to see Taehyung curled up on the couch, wearing his hoodie.
And he's certainly not prepared to be met with red puffy eyes and dried tear marks.
Jimin's heart clenches painfully and he’s beside him in a second, gathering Taehyung in his arms and pressing a string of kisses on his head. Taehyung clings to him, sniffling softly and mumbles incoherently, "Minnie…"
"I'm here, baby." Taehyung gasps at the pet name but Jimin doesn't even realize it. "Are you okay, love?"
Taehyung shuts his eyes, breathless. "Just realized why it didn't work out with anyone else, Min."
Jimin is confused, "Yeah?"
"No one ever made me feel like you do." And it's Jimin's turn to gasp as Taehyung moves away from him, looking directly into his eyes.
"Even when it comes to the smallest gestures like you hugging me or even calling me baby and love. No one ever made me feel like that."
Jimin's heart flutters but his eyes fill with tears.
And Taehyung pulls him closer, making himself small to fit in Jimin's arms. "Kiss me, please."
And Jimin freezes. He doesn't want to hope and hurt himself again.
But as Taehyung looks at him with pleading eyes flooded with emotions, Jimin gives in.
He's a weak man. Always has been weak for the man in his arms. So, he gently moves forward and presses his lips onto Taehyung's.
Kissing Taehyung isn't fireworks.
It isn't adrenaline pumping through his body.
It isn't his stomach swarmed with butterflies.
Kissing Taehyung is everything.
It's calm and surreal.
It's light drizzle on a hot day.
Kissing Taehyung is coming home.
And Jimin feels like he's finally home.
He knows Taehyung is staying when he sees the empty ring finger and instead there's a tacky friendship band they made for each other in highschool. And he's grateful the rift between them was short-lived because he certainly can't live without Taehyung.
And there's a lot to talk about, but for now Jimin is happy to have Taehyung in his arms.